Apple tree named ‘Dalirail’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Gala-type apple cultivar is disclosed. The new cultivar ‘Dalirail’ arose as a whole tree mutation of ‘Imperial Gala.’ ‘Dalirail’ is notable for its intense coloration and early maturity as compared to its parent and to other known Gala cultivars.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Malus pumila Mill.

Variety denomination: ‘Dalirail’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 shows a tree of ‘Dalirail’ in bloom;

FIG. 2 shows a tree of ‘Dalirail’ with leaves and fruit;

FIG. 3 shows fruit and leaves of ‘Dalirail’;

FIG. 4 shows fruit of ‘Dalirail’;

FIG. 5 shows fruit of ‘Dalirail’ (on the left) as compared to fruit of parent variety ‘Pinova’; and,

FIG. 6 shows fruit of ‘Dalirail’ after starch indexing, as compared to fruit of parent variety ‘Pinova.’

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

‘Dalirail’ originated as a whole tree mutation of ‘Pinova’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,601). The original tree mutation was discovered during the 1998 harvest in a commercial block of ‘Pinova’ trees near Lezigne, France, planted on M9 rootstock (not patented) in 1997. The new variety was first asexually propagated by grafting in February 1999 for testing purposes at Doue La Fontaine, France under breeder's reference number MN R36 A6.

The asexually propagated progeny of ‘Dalirail’ have been found to be homogeneous and stable, retaining the unique characteristics of the original ‘Dalirail’ tree, and remaining true to type through successive generations of asexual propagation.

‘Dalirail’ is similar to its parent ‘Pinova’ in some respects, such as its ability to withstand winter and spring frosts; desirable flavor as a dessert quality fruit; very little or no russeting; no alternate bearing; and good storageability. However, ‘Dalirail’ is distinguishable from its parent by a number of features. The tree of ‘Dalirail’ has been observed to be more vigorous than ‘Pinova’ in side by side growing trials. Branches of ‘Dalirail’ are longer than those of ‘Pinova.’ The fruit of ‘Dalirail’ further distinguishes the new variety from its parent. A comparison of the fruit of ‘Dalirail’ and ‘Pinova’ is set forth in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Comparison of fruit of ‘Dalirail’ to fruit of parent ‘Pinova’ Characteristic ‘Pinova’ ‘Dalirail’ Maturity Date Third week of Second week of September September Percentage of foreground 25% to 50% 50% to 75% color Intensity of foreground Orange-red Very intense red with color some pink-orange Tree Size Small to medium Medium Tree Vigor Dwarf Semi-dwarf (more vigorous) Fruit Size Medium to large Large

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of ‘Dalirail,’ a new and distinct cultivar of Malus pumila Mill., based on observations made on the original tree from 2001 to 2004, and during the 2001 through 2005 growing seasons on specimens of the second generation planted at Angers, France in 2001. All colors are described according to The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart. It should be understood that the botanical and analytical characteristics described will vary somewhat depending upon cultural practices and climatic conditions, and can vary with location and season. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from 2 year old trees of the new variety. The measurements of any individual plant, or any group of plants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

-   1. Tree:     -   -   Vigor.—Quite vigorous; more vigorous than ‘Pinova’.         -   Type.—Standard.         -   Habit.—Upright.         -   Size.—280 cm high.         -   Trunk.—Diameter 40 mm at 30 cm above graft union; bark             smooth to moderate, grey 201B.         -   Branches.—Length 65 cm, diameter 17 mm; crotch angle 60° to             80°; brown 200B (fruiting branches about 1 m above graft             union).         -   Winter hardiness.—Similar to ‘Pinova’.         -   Chilling requirement.—Similar to ‘Pinova’. -   2. Dormant one year old shoot:     -   -   Pubescence.—Moderate.         -   Size.—Length 38 cm; thickness 7.2 mm.         -   Color.—Brown N200B.         -   Internode length.—Long, 31 mm.         -   Number of lenticels.—7 lenticels per cm². -   3. Flowers:     -   -   Bud.—2 per spur; conical shape; length 10 mm, diameter 10             mm; red-purple 61A.         -   Flower color (balloon stage).—Purple 77C.         -   Size.—Diameter 4.8 cm.         -   Petals.—Usually 5, not touching; ovate with round apex and             pointed base; margin smooth to medium; length 24 mm, width             17 mm; upper surface white 155B with purple 75C; lower             surface purple 77D.         -   Sepals.—5 per flower; shape conical, pointed; green 143C.         -   Pedicel.—Length 2 cm, diameter 1.4 mm; green 143D.         -   Pistil.—Length 11 mm; yellow-green 145D.         -   Anthers.—Numerous, average 18 per flower; length 2 mm;             pollen present, yellow 4C.         -   Stigma.—Length 0.5 mm; pale yellow 9C.         -   Style.—Length 9 mm; yellow-green N144D.         -   Ovary.—Length 1.6 mm; green 134A.         -   Bloom period.—First bloom April 15 in Angers; Full bloom             April 20 in Angers (similar to ‘Pinova’). -   4. Leaf:     -   -   Attitude in relation to shoot.—Upwards. -   5. Leaf blade:     -   -   Length.—10.4 cm.         -   Width.—6.2 cm.         -   Length-width ratio.—1.7.         -   Margin.—Crenate.         -   Shape.—Oblanceolate; apex acuminate; base oblique.         -   Color.—Upper surface green 143A; lower surface 143C (in             early summer). -   6. Petiole: Length 3.5 cm; diameter 1.8 mm; yellow-green 145B. -   7. Fruit:     -   -   Size.—Diameter 72 mm; 161 g.         -   Quantity per cluster.—Up to 3 to 4 fruits per cluster.         -   Ratio of height to width.—0.9.         -   General shape in profile. —Conical to truncate conical.         -   Position of maximum diameter.—Top third of fruit.         -   Ribbing.—Absent.         -   Aperture of eye.—Closed.         -   Size of eye.—9.1 mm.         -   Depth of eye basin.—8.7 mm.         -   Width of eye basin.—28 mm.         -   Stalk.—Length 31 cm, diameter 2.6 mm; grey-brown N199D.         -   Stalk cavity.—Depth 13.7 mm, width 37 mm.         -   Size of lenticels.—Small to very small, 0.5 mm.         -   Bloom of skin.—Similar to ‘Pinova’.         -   Ground color of skin.—Yellow 13B.         -   Over color of skin.—Red to orange pink 44A.         -   Amount of over color.—50% to 75%.         -   Intensity of over color.—Bright.         -   Pattern of over color.—Striped.         -   Flesh.—Firm to medium; very juicy; 13° brix at harvest;             flesh color yellow 11C.         -   Seeds.—Average 4 per fruit; shape truncate ovoid; brown             200D.         -   Harvest date.—Second week of September in Angers (1 week             before ‘Pinova’).         -   Harvest window.—3 picks within 3 weeks.         -   Yield.—80 fruits harvested per tree (third leaf).         -   Use.—Fresh market.         -   Resistance to disease: None noted. -   Storageability: Similar to ‘Pinova’. -   Use: Fresh market. -   Resistance to known diseases: None noted. -   Storageability: Similar to ‘Pinova’. 

1. A new and distinct apple tree, substantially as shown and described herein. 